[Problems raised by the administration of a peridural block in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy]

Abstract

More and more patients likely to get an epidural block are treated with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. An epidural hematoma may be consecutive to an injury of the epidural venous plexus. The mechanisms of action of the different drugs are reviewed. The bleeding time is not an infallible indication of aspirin or other non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs platelet defect. The protocol used in our institution for the administration of an epidural block in this group of patients is discussed.